The New Democratic Party is set to lose another Member of Parliament, as Alexandre Boulerice prepares to announce his departure from federal politics to run in the upcoming Quebec provincial election. This move will reduce the already diminished federal NDP caucus to just five members, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Boulerice to Join Québec Solidaire
Boulerice, who has been a prominent figure in the NDP since the 2011 "orange wave" in Quebec, will announce on Monday that he is seeking the nomination for the provincial democratic socialist party Québec Solidaire (QS) in the Montreal riding of Gouin. This riding is considered a safe seat for QS, making it an attractive opportunity for Boulerice.
The news was first reported by Le Journal de Montréal on Friday. Boulerice had been publicly considering a provincial run for several months, and QS had adjusted its limits on male candidates to accommodate him.
NDP Leader Urged Him to Stay
Newly elected NDP Leader Avi Lewis had personally urged Boulerice to reconsider his decision. "I looked him in the eye and said, 'Please, stay with us,'" Lewis stated last month. Despite this appeal, Boulerice decided to pursue provincial politics, citing the need to counter the rise of right-of-centre political parties in the Quebec legislature. The Parti Québécois currently leads in provincial polls, and the Quebec Conservative Party has surpassed QS in popularity.
However, Boulerice's nomination for Gouin is not yet guaranteed. The nomination process, originally scheduled for March, has been postponed to next week. While Boulerice is the only declared candidate so far, others may enter the race.
The NDP has been asked for comment but has not responded as of now. More details are expected to follow.
